First Kiss

Chapter 14

"How did it go?" She asks.
"It went really well actually. He was very supportive."
"That's a relief. I would've went there and told him off if he wasn't."
"Thankfully, you don't have to."
She giggles.
"We also talked about the divorce and your former drinking problem. He told me that he was there for you. You made me think that Mick was the only one."
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to give you the wrong impression about our relationship. He helped because he was concerned about how it would affect you and Jaiden. I didn't want you to think that we were getting back together or something."
"I wouldn't think that. I've accepted that you're never getting back together."
"I didn't know that. I just imagined how it would sound if I said that your dad was also there to help me."
"So was Mick. Are you getting back together with him?"
"No."
"Okay then."
"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you."
"It's okay. I guess I can understand why you didn't. And it worked. You haven't been drinking anymore."
"Yeah. I'm not going to pretend that I haven't gotten the urge but I fought it."
"I'm proud of you."
"Thank you. I meant it when I said that I want to do better for your sake."
"I know. I believe you."
She smiles.
"Can I ask you something?" She asks.
"Yeah."
"Do you see this being a long term relationship?"
"What, me and Keri?"
She laughs.
"Yes obviously."
"I hope so. I like being with her."
"I'm glad. I was just curious because I didn't know if you were experimenting."
"No. I really like her. I want to be with her as long as I can."
"I hope you do. I can see that she makes you happy."
"Yeah she does."
She nods.
"I hope you find someone too, Mom."
"Don't worry about me. I'm not making that my priority right now."
"Really?"
"Yeah. You and Jaiden are my priority."
I smile. I never thought that I would hear her say it.
"That means a lot."
She pulls into our driveway. Jaiden's asleep on the couch. She wakes him up and quietly tells him to go to bed. He says good night to both of us. We go to our own rooms suit shortly after. I shut my door and call Keri. She answers almost immediately.
"Hey," she says happily.
"Hey baby. I just got home from meeting with my dad," I say.
"Are we using pet names now?" She teases.
"What do you mean?"
"You just called me baby."
"Did I?" I ask genuinely.
"Yeah. I'm not mad. It was just a pleasant surprise."
"Shit. I'm sorry. It must've just came out."
"You don't have to be sorry."
"Okay. Anyway, I was just calling to tell you about how it went with my dad. It went even better than I expected."
"I told you that he'd be cool with it. Hell, everyone in our group did."
"I know. It's just that you never know when it comes to these things."
"Fair enough. So, what did he say?"
"He said that he never cared about that. He's just happy to see me happy. Plus, him and my mom have always liked you."
"That's great. I'm glad that it went well. He never struck me as the kind of person that was homophobic or anything."
"Yeah. I'm glad that he isn't."
"Well, thanks for calling me. I'm going to head to bed soon."
"Of course. I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
We hang up. I call myself a dumbass in my head for slipping up on the phone. I can't believe that I just called her baby without even thinking about it. I sigh and go on with my night. It's too late to change it now.